Aeroplane and safety appliance.



H. B. HAWES AEROPLANE AND SAFETY APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1913.

1, 04, 9, Patented July 28, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. E. HAWES. AEROPLANE AND SAFETY APPLIANCE.

- APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1913.

Patented July 28, 191i 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR H. E. HAWES. AEROPLANB AND SAFETY APPLIANCE.APPLICATION I'ILBD SEPT. 9, 1913. 1,104,889. Patented July 28,191 L s8HEETSSHEET a.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? HERBERT E. HAWES,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AEROPLANE AND SAFETY APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 9, 1913. Serial No. 788,920.

\ and to insure the positive opening or spreading of the same, and thesafe and expeditious transference of the aviator through the air.

A further object, is to form the parachute with a cover or supportingsurface of small dimension on starting, and afterward increase or spreadthe same to the full capacity or surface of the parachute, when freefrom the plane. Also to provide a parachute so held and presented thatit will be spread automatically, by the forward motionpf the machine,and automatically detach itself at a predetermined time or degree ofexpan slon; and other ob ects Wlll be hereinafter side edges 2 thereof,having a groove 3 for disclosed.

I attain these objects by the construction, arrangement, and combinationof parts hereinafter set forth; reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts in allthe views.

Figure 1, is a general side view of my improvement applied to amonoplane, and shown in dotted outline. Fig. 2, isa plan view,'showingthe parachute lying in the internal cavity of the frame, with thecavitycovcr or wind-shield removed. Fig. 3, is a cross-sectional view atma2, Fig. 2. I Fig. 4; is a side elevation of the parachute folded, withthe sliding rings at the top of their travel, the extension pushed in,and part of cover removed. Fig. 5, shows the parachute extended withhalf of the cover removed to show the internal mechanism. Fig. 6, is aplan viewof the wind-shield for the frame cavity, its connectionsto theframe, and de-,

tail of the rib stay-locking mechanism. Fig. 10, 1s a detail of thewind-shield retainingcatches, and the engagement of the same with theedge of the frame cavity. Fig. 11, shows the frame in outline, planview, with a plurality of parachutes in the frame cavity.

In carrying my invention into practice, I form the rear of the frame,with a longitudinal, upwardly-opening cavity 1 having a smooth internalsurface. The upper sideedges 2 of which are formed with an upper smoothsurface extending from the aviators seat or cockpit rearwardly to therear of the frame, so that there are no projecr tions to catch theclothing of the aviator, or otherwise injure him as he leaves themachine over the rear; I also lead forward from the ends of the crosssupporting-piece of the rear elevating planes P, a stout guy at ar anglethereto, and fasten the same to the frame, at a point well forward ofsaid crosspiece. The space on each side inclosed by said guys and theframe, I fill with a sheet of stout material m, not liable to rupturebycontact with the aviators feet, as he leaves the machine.

The frame cavity 1, I provide'with the inthe reception of wires 4 forreleasing the sliding catches 17 for the wind-shield 21; said grooveextends the full length of thecavity on each side thereof; the wirescontained therein being led forward to releasing lever 5, see Figs. 1,6, 10.

The parachute frame I form with ribs shown in limited number and hingedat the top, to a central staff or handle 6, hollow in the lower part ofits length, and containing a sliding telescoping extension 7 having astop knob 7 to increase the length of the same when released, to renderit more stable when in action; the extension movement thereof beinglimited by. stops in any well known way; see Figs. 4, 5, 8. I also formthe envelop'or cover thereof in duplex parts; one part, the lower 8, Ifasten firmly to all the ribs 15 and 15, extending said coverapproximately two thirds of the way to the top-center, and leaving ahole in the center of the frame at the top, to lessen its resistance toforward motion while spreading, and to prevent tearing thesupporting-surface from the .ribs and frame. vThe other part or hood 9,

I form of a circular piece, attaching the center of the same to the ribsadjacent where they are pivoted to the staff see Fig. 5. To

Patented July 28, 1914'.

the outside edge. of said circular hood, I

affix as many spreading-cords 10 as there are ribs, and lead each of thesame through a suitable guide or ringll, affixed to each rib in suchposition as to insure the hood to completely cover said open space whenfully extended. The cords are then led inwardly and fastened to a ring12 inclosing and slidably-mounted upon the staff 6. From this ring thecords are reduced in number and led downward to a similar ring 13inclosing the staff below where. the stay-ribs are pivoted thereto. Theaviator suspension-cords 29 are attached to this latter ring and to theaviator in any well known manner; as by straps 29 around both thighs andshoulders. When the parachute is folded, these rings are slid upwardlytoward the top of same, the plain parts of the staff allow.- ingsuficient movement of said rings to fully spread the hood by the weightof the aviator; the hood is folded around the staff at the top of theribs at the center thereof, and the aviator suspension-cords are ledover the partition at the front of the cavity to the aviators seat. Theparachute is preferably held stationary in the cavity in any well knownway; as by a recess for each end of the staff in the bulkhead and gate14.

A swinging gate 14, see Figs. 1, 3, is pivoted transversely of the frameby its lower edge, and held in an upright position by suitable retainingcatches 24, and adapted tobe released by mechanism operated by theparachute on partial expansion of the same, as fully hereinafterdescribed. The gate is mounted at the rear of the frame cavity, andserves as a retainer for the parachute, as against the air-pressure onthe spreading of the same, until the ribs are sufficiently elevated atthe front end or bottom of the parachute, to insure a complete opening,and holds the rear end of stafl 6 sta- 1 tionary in the socket in gate14, as aforesaid,

until the gate is swung downwardly. On spreading, when the ribs lyinnext the wind shield have received a su cient elevation, the rib 15'provided with the releasing cam lever 16, see Figs. 1, 5, causes thewithdrawal of the retaining catches 24, and allows the gate 14, to swingon its pivot 18, to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1, therebyallowing the parachute to leave the machine out of the rear of the framecavity, whereupon the rest of the ribs-assume a fully-spread attitude,and are prevented from closing afterward, by the moving of the staystrips 19 hinged thereto, to ":a straight line, where snap catches '20hold them fixed in the extended position; as shown in detail Fig. 9, andFig. 5 extended.

When the parachute is closed and lying in the cavity 1, a flexiblewind-shield 21, covers the top of said cavity and prevents ribs are anywind or air-current from entering the inside of' the parachute andspreading or disturbing the same. .This shield is provided with aplurality of eyes 22, at each edge, which enter openings in rail.2provided therefor and secure the same to both sides of the frame bymeans. of sliding catches 17 on wires 4, retained in the groove 3 bystrip 2 covering groove 2, see Fig. 10.

- These catches are simultaneously withdrawn from the retaining eyesfast on the shield, which permits the upper ribs of the parachute torise, when spreading. These upper ribs are assisted to rise, slightly,by springs 23, so as to form an opening at first, for the air-current toenter and spread the parachute.

The catches 17, are connected to wires 4, so as to move simultaneously,see Fig. 6. Said wires are led to the twin lever 5, moved by hand andmounted on transverse shaft .9, Figs. 1, 2.- Movement of this lever intothe position shown in dotted lines see Fig. 1, withdraws catches 17,which frees shield 21 from the frame, and allows the parachute tospread.

Two or more arachutes may be carried in the frame avity, which may beenlarged to carry or accommodate several; see Fig. 11.

It will, thus be seen, that the parachute is positively spread anddetached; that a too sudden pull or jerk on the aviator or mechanism isavoided, thus lessening the danger of breakage of parts, and discomfortto the aviator. v

This mechanism may be used with a. hydroplane attachment to theaeroplane, without change, as said mechanism, comes wholly above thehydroplane.

Said gate unlocking mechanism consists of a pair of retractable bolts24, movably attached to said gate and engaging behind the braces 25, andare provided with camends 26, which are engaged by cam lever 16 onspreading of the parachute, and operate to withdraw said bolts to dropthe gate and free the parachute. The sliding bolts are normally retainedin looking position by suitable springs 27 and are slidably-fastened tosaid gate in any suitable manner as by eyes 28, see Figs. 7, 3.

The retaining of the parachute in its receptacle by blocking its rearend against endwise movements, removing the windshield and allowing thesame to be forced against the air-current until the uppermost (partiallyspread, constitutes a very sure an positive way of carrying andspreading the same.-

The movable part of the parachute cover -may be attached, at option,- toeither the top or bottom of the parachute ribs, and the fixed part tothe opposite end.

This mechanism is shown applied to a well known form of monoplane, whichlends itself readily to the application of this mechanism. The rear endof the frame is braced as shown in Fig. 3, and the rear elevating planesare applied as shown in Fig. 2, with the space ahead of the same filledwith the stout material as aforesaid, to give an approximately smoothside outline without sharp corners to catch the aviator as he leaves themachine. The bracing strips 25, shown in Fig. 3 are light strips of woodor similar material, which gives ample strength to the rear of theframe. The rear rudder R 'is placed below the bottom of the cavity, soas to clear the aviator on leaving the rear. The inside of the cavity isformed of some smooth strong material like canvas, or sheet aluminum,and is smooth from end to end. 1

In applying the springs 23, to assist in raising the upper ribs atfirst, spiral springs may be used, or any form of spring at, option, asonlya slight elevation of one or two ribs is necessary to start thespreading, and admit the air-current to the interior of the parachute.

The aviator harness 29 is attached to the aviator-in any well known wayat option. and the cords from the hood are led to the central shaft andcombined in one or more strands, down to the harness, and may con-' taina resilient piece, as a piece of stout rubber band, to minimize thejerks on starting.

The springs 23 are applied, to lift the ribs, in any suitable way; asbetween the 'ribs and central staff 6.

In operating my invention, the parachute is folded snugly with theextension pushed in to the knob 7' to shorten the staff, and laidproperly in the cavity 1, with the bottom thereof toward the front ofthe machine; the aviator suspension cord is next attached to theaviator, and the hood properly folded. The wind-shield is next putinplace, the retaining catches locked, the auxiliary springs compressed,and the-upright gate secured with the actuating rib in position tounlock the same. To release the parachute, the releasing lever 5, ismoved to its forward position see Fig. 1, which sets in operation theshield releasing catches 17. The aviator, now rises in his seat,whereupon the parachute automatically spreads, and takes him safelyover-the rear of the machine. If two persons are present, with twoparachutes, the above applies to both,

and the movement of the releasing lever by either liberates bothparachutes.

ith thiswnm'lmn'ism properly made and handled. it will be seen that oneor more aviators may safely make a descent from anaeroplanesimultaneously and independently: the two parachutes being mounted sideby side.

Having thus described my lnvention, I

do not limit it to the exact mechanism shown, as many modificationsthereof may be made, by one skilled in the art, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an aeroplane, a frame having a smooth longitudinalupwardly-opening cav ity at the rear thereof, a detachable parachutecarried in said cavity, the bottom or able partial-cover adapted to bespread over the partially covered ribs, means for drawing or spreadingsaid movable cover to complete, the supporting-surface of the parachute,and an aviator harness carried thereby.

3. The combination with an aeroplane having an upwardly-opening rearcavity, of a parachute carried and retained therein in a horizontalposition with the bottom thereof toward the front of the plane andhaving a cover or supporting-surface in two parts, the fixed or primarypart operating to move or launch the parachute from the plane in agradual or progressive manner and the secondary or movable part adaptedto be spread to complete the full extent'of the supporting surface afterlaunching, means for retaining the parachute in the cavity, and meansfor releasing the said retaining means.

4. The combination with an aeroplane having a horizontal longitudinalrear upcentral stafl for each, ribs hinged thereto at one end andadapted to be partially 'expanded or spread while lying in saidv cavity,an aviator harness connected to each of said parachutes, and means fordisconnecting said parachutes ously.

from the plane simultane 5. In an aeroplane, a frame having a rearupwardly-opening longitudinal cavity, a wind-shield therefordetachablyfheldto the upper side-edges of said cavity, retaining catchestherefor, aparachute jearridin said cavity, an, aviatorharness carriedthereby,

manually-actuated means for releasingthe retaining catches of theWind-shield, and

means for retaining the rear end of the parachute in the cavity untilthe same is partially spread.

6. In an aeroplane, a frame having a longitudinal upwardly-openingcavity in the rear thereof, a detachable wind-shield forming a top orcover for said cavity, a plurality of retaining catches for said cover,manually actuated means for simultaneously unlocking said retainingcatches, a movable gate pivoted at its bottom edge transversely at therear end of said cavity, retaining catches for holding said gateupright, a parachute carried in said cavity having umbrella-like ribsadapted to be spread by internal air-pressure, means operated by theparachute to unlock the retaining catches of the movable gate to freethe parachute, and an aviator-harness carried by the parachute. i

7 In an aeroplane, a frame having a longitudinal upwardly-opening cavityin the rear thereof, a parachute detachably held in said cavity andadapted to be spread by movement against the air-current, means forretaining the parachute in said cavity, suspensory connections fortheaviator attached ,to the parachute, and means automatically actuated torelease theparachute retaining means after a predetermined amount ofspreading of the parachute is attained.

8. In a parachute, a central staff, ribs hinged thereto at one end, apartial sustaining-surface fixed to the free ends of the ribs for partof their length and leaving an open space at the hinged ends thereof, amovable sustainin -surface adapted to be spread over the aforesaid openspace, connections or cords for so moving the movable sustaining-surfaceover said space and operated by the weight of the aviator, and anaviatorharness carried by the parachute and attached to said cords.

' 9. Thecombinations with an aeroplane, of a detachable parachute havinga partial supporting-surface fixed thereto and leaving a hole at thetop, a supplementary movable supporting surface for said hole,connections or cords for drawing said movablesurface over the said openspace of the parachute, an aviator-harness afiixed to said cords, andmeans to detach the/parachute from the aeroplane.

10. In an aeroplane, a frame having a longitudinal horizontal cavity inthe rear of the fuselage, a fixed end inthe front of said cavity, amovable end in the rear of said cavity, a cover or top therefor havingretaining catches engaging the top side-edges of said cavity,manually-actuated means for simultaneously unlocking 'said retainincatches, a parachute having a central sta and ribs hinged thereto at one;.end, compression springs adapted to raise the uppermost ribs uponrelease of said cover, a

spring-pressed ribs adapted to be rals duplex cover for the parachuteframe one part fixed thereto the other part adapted to be spread orpositioned after the release of the parachute, an aviator harnessconnected to the movable part of the parachute cover and engaging withthe centraLstafit', and means actuatedby the spreading of the parachuteribs to release the movable rear end of the cavity when the ribs arepartially extended; said parachute being mounted with the bottom towardthe fixed end of the cavity.

11. A parachute having a supporting surface in two parts, the one partadapted to be expanded and positioned by the air current, and the otherpart adapted to be expanded by the combined resistance of theair-current and the cooperation of the weight of the aviator operatingto spread the last named part after launching through connectionsafiixed thereto and connected to an aviator-harness.

12. The combination with an aeroplane frame having a rearupwardlyopening cavity, a detachable wind shield for the top of saidcavity, detachable retaining-catches for said shield, manually-actuatedmeans for unlocking said retaining-catches, of a detach: able parachutehaving ribs hinged at the top center thereof carried in said cavity withthe bottom thereof presented toward the front of the machine and havinga duplex supporting-surface adapted to'be increased in extent afterspreading, an aviator-harness vcarried by said parachute, and means todetach the parachute.

13. The combination with an aeroplane having a horizontal rearupwardly-opening cavity, a top or cover therefor, means for releasingsaid cover, of a parachute, carried horizontally in said cavity andhavin thereby on release of said cover while the parachute is stillretained in said cavity, an aviator harness attached to the parachute,and means to release the parachute.

14. The combination with an aeroplane having a longitudinal horizontalupwardlyopen'ng cavity in the frame, a fixed end in the front .of saidcavity and a movable end in the rear thereof, a frame arachutedetachably held in said cavity Wlth'lltS'BXPfillsible end disposedtoward the front of the machine, a covering or supporting-surfacetherefor in parts one part fixed tothe frame of the parachute the otherpart movable relative thereto and adapted to be spread partiallythereover, spreading cords or connections therefor connected to anaviator-harness, of means for moving the rear end of chine.

15. The combination wlth an aeroplane having a rear substantiallyairtight horizontal cavity with a detachable cover therefor, of adetachable parachute having hinged ribs and a duplex cover carried insaid cavity and adapted to be partially spread having a smooth freeupper rear surface, of

a detachable parachute having a partial fixed and a partial movablecover carried thereby and adapted to take the aviator therefrom oversaid rear upper surface, an aviatorharness attached to said parachute,and means to detach the parachute.

18. The combination with an aeroplane, of a plurality of independentdetachable parachutes carried thereby, an aviator-harness .attached toeach parachute, and means' to detach said parachutes; said meanscomprising a transverse shaft having twin releasing leversone at eachend.

19. The combination with an aeroplane having an upwardly-opening cavityin the rear thereof, a detachable cover for said cavity, means todetachsaid cover, a plurality of detachable independent parachutescarried in said cavity and having an mama harness attached to each, ofmeans to simultaneously detach said parachutes from the cavity; saidmeans comprising a releasing lever located adjacent to the separateaviator seats.

20. An aeroplane with a rear upwardlyopening cavity with a fixedpartition in the front end of said cavity and a movable partition orgate in the rear thereof, means for moving-said rear gate, said gatebeing adapted to be moved entirely out of line with 'interior of saidcavity.

21. The combination with an aeroplane having a smooth-surfaced rearupwardlyopening cavity, parachute retaining means cooperating therewith,of a parachute carried therein and having an aviator-harness attachedthereto and adapted to be partially filled or expanded while stillretained in said cavity, and means to release the parachute.retainingmeans;

22 A parachute having a compound supporting surface or cover inparts,one part adaptedto be spread by the air current or air resistance, theother part to be spread by the combined air-resistance andweight-actuated connections, cords or connections at- 23. Aparachute'having a central telescoping staff, ribs hinged thereto atone'end, folding rib-stays therefor, a duplex cover therefor, onesection affixed to parts of said ribs, the other section movableand-adapted to be spread or positioned after launching, cords forspreading said movable section of cover, and an aviator-harness aflixedto said cords.

2 f. A framed parachute having a duplex supporting-surface the one partof said cover fixed to the frame thereof, the other part movablerelatively thereto and adapted and arranged to be spreadby the weight ofthe aviator after launching, cords or connections for spreading saidmovable cover, and an aviator-harness attached to said parachute. 25.The combination with an aeroplane having an internally-smooth rearupwardlyopening cavity, a front partition therefor 'and a movable rearpartition, parachute reand the weight of the aviator acting throdghspreading cords or connections attached to an aviator-harness,connection-eyes or guides mounted on the parachute to receive guide andposition said cords for moving the movable part, and an aviator-harnesscarried thereby; said connections extending toward and leading to thecenter of resistance of the parachute.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

, HERBERT E. HAWES. Witnesses: 1

' JoHNE. F. FAGAN FRED E. MAYOR.

